Bills in Legislature would benefit veterans

Published: Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 05:41 PM.

“I think it’s the right thing to do for those
ind
ividuals who have sacrificed and given a lot,” he said. “I think it makes a lot of sense.”

Professional licenses

Under the second piece of legislation (SB160/HB115), the
Florida
Department of Health would waive veterans’ initial licensing fees, application fees and “unlicensed activity fee” when they apply for a license. The fee waiver would only apply to veterans who have been honorably discharged in the last two years, according to the bill.

The bill does not waive the cost of the exam, which must be taken to get the license. Two Senate panels have approved it, and a House panel did the same Thursday.

Patronis said the quicker the state can get these veterans their licenses, the better. He said
Florida
should be trying to attract ex-military members in the health-care field. He said they would be an “asset” to the state.

Evers said the bill is a good idea because the state needs more medical professionals, and the state should pursue the ones who honed their skills in the military. He said attracting more healthcare professionals to
Florida
could hold down Medicaid and Medicare costs because there would be more providers.

Evers said easing the process for veterans to relocate to the state and gain their healthcare licenses is a “win-win” for residents.

TALLAHASSEE — Two bills in the state Legislature are aimed at luring and retaining Florida’s veterans, offering in-state college tuition and waiving fees for professional licenses.

Both have gathered momentum in the House and Senate, and state Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, believes both will become law this year. He’s already voted for the bills when they came before the Senate’s military affairs panel. They both passed.

The first (SB260/HB539) would allow veterans who move to Florida to immediately have residency for tuition purposes. The Yellow Ribbon Program (or Post-9/11 GI Bill) covers only so much of a veteran’s tuition and fees. If veterans attend private or out-of-state schools, all of their tuition and fees may not be covered.

This legislation seeks to prevent veterans from paying those costs when they attend Florida state schools, Evers said.

The bill would treat any veteran or military reserve as a Florida resident for tuition purposes. About six other states offer this provision, Evers said.

“This just makes it more veteran friendly and brings more folks to the state of Florida,” he said.

The bill applies to veterans attending college at a physical location in the state and those who live in-state and take online classes at a Florida college.

“I think, yes, it will ultimately become law,” Evers said.

State Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-PanamaCity, who leads the Florida Defense Support Task Force, also favors the bill. He said it helps veterans originally from Florida who were stationed outside the state and then return home to be with their families. He said being stationed out-of-state forces servicemen and women to change residency. So when they return, the veterans must wait 12 months to regain residency.

Patronis said leaving Florida is generally beyond the veterans’ control.

The bill has only passed one Senate panel and has three more to go. In the House, it has not received a hearing.

Also Gulf Coast State College president Jim Kerley supports the legislation. He said the bill has “real legs,” noting that numerous lawmakers are backing the legislation.

“I think it’s the right thing to do for those individuals who have sacrificed and given a lot,” he said. “I think it makes a lot of sense.”

Professional licenses

Under the second piece of legislation (SB160/HB115), the Florida Department of Health would waive veterans’ initial licensing fees, application fees and “unlicensed activity fee” when they apply for a license. The fee waiver would only apply to veterans who have been honorably discharged in the last two years, according to the bill.

The bill does not waive the cost of the exam, which must be taken to get the license. Two Senate panels have approved it, and a House panel did the same Thursday.

Patronis said the quicker the state can get these veterans their licenses, the better. He said Florida should be trying to attract ex-military members in the health-care field. He said they would be an “asset” to the state.

Evers said the bill is a good idea because the state needs more medical professionals, and the state should pursue the ones who honed their skills in the military. He said attracting more healthcare professionals to Florida could hold down Medicaid and Medicare costs because there would be more providers.

Evers said easing the process for veterans to relocate to the state and gain their healthcare licenses is a “win-win” for residents.

“We see a need and we see the ability to get constituents better health care in the state of Florida,” he said.

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